Management and productivity increases

Describes the difference in attitudes between managers and shopfloor workers concerning the influences of productivity increases on outcomes from both groups. The study shows that the managerial group has more positive views of the influence of productivity increases on outcomes for shopfloor workers than do the shopfloor workers themselves. It seems that workers feel that they will bear more of the costs of any program which aims to improve productivity. Management must be aware of the sceptical feelings of shopfloor workers towards productivity enhancement programs and try to counteract the negativism by advertising the benefits to the workers and other stakeholders. The procedure for measuring and delivering the outcomes of such programs to the various stakeholders must be transparent so that every stakeholder is satisfied that he/she has received his/her fair return.